Aaaah. Do you smell that? It’s a new year, my friend. Breathe it in. It’s the time for fresh starts and optimism. Good intentions and renewed beauty. And with the awakening of a new year comes a very exciting time at Westervin: awards season! I hope you’re as excited as I am to jump headfirst into more red carpet fashion and visual arts pairings! Because the fun. . . begins. . . NOW!

Last night brought us the first major awards show of the season with the 41st Annual People’s Choice Awards. I have to be honest with you, though. I really struggled this time. Not only was I a little rusty, but I felt, at least at first, that last night’s red carpet looks were a little blah. Come on, celebrities! Where were you?!

But after a cocktail from my trusty husband/live-in bartender and an embarrassing amount of time spent searching (the internet, my soul, the liquor cabinet), I found a few gems I could work with. From sweet and feminine to fierce and modern, the styles I picked for this set of pairings won me over in the end. For their fine art counterparts, I looked to some of my favorite artists (you may recognize Shannon Rankin, Jesús Perea, and Elise Mahan from previous pairings) for colors that complimented, compositions that mimicked, and, hopefully, a balance that made the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

For future installments, I’m looking forward to drinking more fancy cocktails (maybe a little slower, next time), getting faster, discovering new artists, and practicing this very specific and satisfying creative skill — the art of the pairing. Look out for my next posts, including the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTA Film Awards, and Academy Awards!